Sales display unit

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sales display unit made of paperboard material such as cardboard, corrugated cardboard or the like, with a bearing support surface, such as a rear wall, in which receptacles for shelves by means of connector link connections are provided.

The invention relates to a sales display unit made of cardboard material such as paperboard, corrugated cardboard or the like with a bearing support surface, such as a rear wall, in which receptacles are provided for shelves by means of connector link connections.

Multifunctional shelf units that can be produced economically and assembled and disassembled quickly based on a modular system are known.

EP 0 868 873 A1 shows a shelf unit of this type of construction in which the side walls are provided with smooth-surfaced outer surfaces and the inner surfaces have openings in which coupling elements can be inserted. The coupling elements are embodied in an angular manner and merchandise fixtures can be placed on the sections pointing towards the inside of the shelf unit. A shelf unit of this type is provided with stability essentially by its side walls.

A further shelf unit of this design is shown by DE 10233301 B4. The merchandise fixtures are embodied in a box-like manner and provided with insert tabs that can be unfolded downwards on their walls facing towards the side walls. For fixing in the side walls, insert tabs on the merchandise fixture are inserted through the openings formed by unfolding the tabs from the inside surfaces of the side walls into the gap between the inside and outside surface of the respective side wall and fixed therein. These solutions have in common that the bearing elements are formed of side walls and usually a rear wall.

The disadvantage is that as a result of this arrangement of the bearing elements, the goods on the merchandise fixtures are partially covered by the side walls and they can be seen obliquely from the side only to a limited extent.

DE 198 60 305 A1 describes a shelf unit with improved stability. The insert plates that can be inserted into the shelf unit have tabs punched out of their base, the tab ends of which are inserted into openings of the sidewalls. In order to cover the openings produced in the insert plates as well as to reinforce the insert plates, so-called reinforcement elements are provided, which are placed over the insert plates and are pressed with extensions on both sides into the cutouts of the side walls above the insert plates.

EP 0 792 606 B1 describes a shelf unit with at least one support column, at least one support bar arranged transversely thereon and at least one display tray arranged on the support bar. In this embodiment the goods in the display trays are also covered at the sides by the support column.

It is desirable to provide a shelf unit that is multifunctional and characterized by a high degree of stability and at the same time can be produced economically due to the modular system and can be assembled and disassembled within the shortest time.

It would also be advantageous if the inserted merchandise fixtures, shelves to hold goods after insertion are connected to the bearing rear wall in a stable manner.

It is furthermore desirable for the shelf unit to be able to hold goods with considerable weight and for these to be viewed freely from the front and from the side.

Furthermore, shelf systems are known in which, for example, strips are attached to the wall, which have slots. Support holders are hooked into the slots, which in turn bear the shelves.

However, the way to the present invention was not shown by all of this information from the prior art.

If a product is to be displayed in a store or at a trade fair, shelf systems or sales display units are required for this purpose. These are often individually produced in order to take into account the different features and qualities of the product. The disadvantage is that new sales display units have to be individually produced for each new sales promotion of the same or different products.

It is also a disadvantage that the individually produced unit is thrown away at the end of the display. The known display units are thereby made of materials that cannot be recycled or are difficult to recycle.

The sales display unit according to the invention provides a good way of overcoming these disadvantages.

This bundle of objects is attained through a sales display unit according to the main claim. Preferred embodiments of the unit are given in the dependent claims.

The sales display unit according to the invention comprises

at least one support surface (1),

-   -   with one or more slots (2) arranged in the surface,

at least one panel (3),

-   -   which is attached to, on or integrated in the support surface         (1),     -   which has one or more slots (4),

at least one shelf (5, 6),

-   -   which has at least one connector link (8),         -   which can be accommodated in the slot or slots of the             support surface (2) and/or panel in a positive manner, and             wherein             the support surface (1) and shelf (5, 6) are made mainly of             paperboard materials and             the number of the slots of the panel (4) corresponds to the             number of the connector links of the shelves (8) and/or             one, several or all of the slots (2, 4) of the panel (3)             and/or support surface (1) are covered.

The different embodiments of the display unit according to the invention are shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 through 8.

Presentation devices, shelf units, stands, shelves or frames are also understood to be sales display units. The display units are used primarily for presentation and sales promotion of goods, such as, for example, cosmetics, in stores or at trade fairs. The size of the display units is therefore adapted to usual spatial dimensions. Advantageous dimensions are in the range of 1 to 4 m² of the support surface.

The sales display unit according to the invention comprises at least one support surface (1). The support surface (1) is designed in a flat manner, for example, as a rear wall. According to the invention, several divided or connected walls are also comprised as a rear wall. Advantageously, the support surface of the sales display unit is composed of only a rear wall. The rear wall is then composed as a 3-dimensional wall of front, rear and side walls.

However, according to the invention, the support surface (1) can also advantageously be designed as a cylinder, such as an advertising column (“Litfasssäule”) (FIG. 2) or as a pyramid.

The support surface (1) preferably has a thickness d of about 2 cm to 30 cm, depending on the design leeway and the goods to be presented. Preferably, the thickness d is in the range of 4 to 10 cm. In this range, sufficient stability and strength of the rear wall made chiefly of paperboard material is ensured.

With a round or oval construction of the support surface (1) (see. FIG. 2), the thickness d is not to be understood as the diameter of the circle or ellipse, but as the thickness of the curved material layer of the support surface (1).

As an advertising column, the support surface can be designed to be hollow inside (cylinder jacket) or more or less completely filled. Likewise, possible reinforcements or struts are possible, in order to improve the stability of the unit.

The support surface (1) is preferably equipped with one or more feet (7), in order to set up the sales display unit on the floor in a stable manner (FIG. 3). An attachment of the support surface (1) to a wall or attachment to cables or rods on the ceiling is also possible and preferred, however.

The shelves (trays, merchandise fixtures) (5, 6) are inserted by means of their connector links (8) into the slots (2) of the support surface (1), wherein the slots (2) and connector links (8) are advantageously dimensioned such that an approximately horizontal position of the merchandise fixtures results, and the connector links (8) in the slots (2) serve as preferably the only attachment of the merchandise fixtures.

Preferably, the slots (2, 4) have the same profile as the connector link (8) so that a zero-clearance plug connection can be embodied. Advantageously, the connector link profile is rectangular.

The connector links (8) are advantageously made from the same material as the shelves. They are advantageously designed such that they can be inserted into the slots (2, 4) with a precise fit and zero clearance, which according to the invention is described as positive.

The shelves (5, 6) can be designed individually in their size and bearing surface and advantageously can project laterally beyond the support surface (1).

The support surface (1) and shelves (5, 6) are composed chiefly of paperboard material such as cardboard, corrugated cardboard, honeycomb sandwich boards and/or lightweight building boards of paper. On the one hand, this creates a low-cost shelf system that has sufficient stability, and on the other hand has a low weight, which ensures flexible application and attachment. Furthermore, this means the sales display unit can be recycled. “Chiefly of paperboard material” advantageously means that more than 90% of the support surfaces and shelves is composed of paperboard material, in particular more than 95%. Corrugated cardboard (nanopaper or microcorrugated board), solid fiberboard, corrugated cardboard, cardboard or paper are known and in particular suitable as paperboard material.

Paperboard material and in particular corrugated cardboard has a low weight and nevertheless is load-bearing, provides effective protection during transport and can be machined comparatively easily. Furthermore, it can be produced cost-effectively as well as recycled in an ecologically correct manner. Particularly preferably, the support surfaces and shelves are made of honeycomb sandwich boards.

The sales display unit according to the invention is multifunction-capable, is characterized by high stability, at the same time can be produced cost-effectively based on the modular system and can be assembled and disassembled in the shortest time.

In order to be able to set up the unit according to the invention outside, the support surface, shelves, panel and/or feet can be provided with water-proofing. Water-proofing, as is known, can be provided by means of impregnating agents or applied films, preferably transparent films.

The shelves (5, 6) are held via the connector links (8) inserted therein via the slots (2) in the support surface. Positive means that the connector links of the shelves (8) engage with a close fit in the slots (2) and hold them due to the weight of the shelves. After insertion, the connector links of the shelves (8) are supported in the slots (2) of the support surface (1).

The slots (2) of the support surface (1) can be continuous, i.e., they can be present in the front as well as the rear of the support surface. Advantageously, depending on the thickness d of the support surface (1), the slots (2) can also be arranged only on the front of the support surface or only on the back of the support surface. That is, the slots (2) are optionally not embodied throughout the thickness d.

The height h of the slots (2) is preferably 3 mm to 80 mm, preferably 5 to 25 mm, and the width b of the slots is preferably in the range of 10 mm to 600 mm, preferably 50 to 400 mm. The depth of the slots (2) can be designed individually. Preferably, the depth of the slots (2) corresponds to the thickness d of the support surface. Particularly advantageously, the depth of the slots (2) is somewhat smaller than the thickness d. This avoids the fixed links (8) projecting from the rear of the support surface (1).

The depth or length of the connector links (8) advantageously corresponds according to the previous statements to the depth of the slots (2) and in particular therefore the thickness d of the support surface (1) or somewhat smaller than the thickness d.

The connector links (8) are dimensioned accordingly, so that a stable attachment and suspension of the shelves (5, 6) is ensured.

The size of the shelves (5, 6) and the support surface (1) are preferably coordinated with conventional pallet sizes.

The inserted shelves (5, 6), merchandise fixtures, also referred to as trays, after insertion are connected via the connector links (8) in a stable manner to the support surface (1), e.g., a supporting rear wall. The support surface (1) ideally fully supports the loads of the shelves (5, 6) via the connector links (8).

The connector links (8) of the shelves (5, 6) are preferably prevented by an undercut (9) (FIG. 6), an adhesion or other attachment options usual in display construction from slipping out of the slots (2, 4). The sales display unit can thus bear goods of considerable weight. The dimensioning of the shelves is carried out depending on the goods and objects to be presented. Preferably, the stability of the shelves is dimensioned up to 15 kg bearing weight. However, the stability of the shelves can also be up to 30 kg per shelf.

Even with high ultimate loads, no additional supporting or reinforcing brackets or connector links are absolutely necessary between the individual shelves, the merchandise fixtures (FIG. 4).

Another important advantage is that the shelves can be viewed freely from the front and from the side due to the only one attachment via the fixed connector link or connector links in the support surface. The goods presented on the merchandise fixtures can thus be viewed freely in an angular range of at least 180° starting from the rear wall without interfering side walls or additional struts disturbing the view. If the shelves project laterally beyond the support surface, a viewing angle of more than 180° is even possible.

With the aid of the invention a view of more than 180° of goods or objects to be presented on the display stand is thus possible for the first time.

Depending on the goods to be presented, braces can therefore continue to be used in addition between the shelves (5, 6). As one of the objects to be attained formulates, an impaired view is then to be prevented or reduced by means of the brace shape, material and size.

Advantageously, more slots (2) are provided in the support surface (1) than connector links of the shelves (8) are inserted. In this manner it is possible to create a multifunctional shelf unit that can be flexibly equipped as required with the necessary number of shelves (5, 6). It is also possible to insert shelves, merchandise fixtures and trays of different width or different shape with a different number of connector links. The sales display unit can thus be configured differently according to requirements (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6).

Likewise, in addition to the shelves (5, 6), objects promoting the presentation of the goods (1) can also be additionally attached to the support by means of one or more connector links (8) (FIG. 7).

In order to ensure the greatest possible variety of insertion options for shelves, of any number and size, the slots are preferably arranged in the support surface in a grid (see FIG. 1).

The stabilization of the shelves (5, 6) in the support surface is achieved only via the slot-connector link locking. The connector link (8) thereby projects into the slot (2), preferably in a flush manner. The connector link (8) can thereby project into the slot (2) as far as the support surface is thick. Projection out of the rear wall is thus prevented, which renders possible an esthetic impression, in particular when free-standing. This is an important advantage over known sales display units for the frequent use of the unit for advertising or sales purposes.

According to the invention, a panel (3) is provided at, on or in the support surface. The panel (3) can be present separately at or on the support surface, or it can be designed as a component of the support surface (1) and thus integrated into the support surface (1).

The panel (3) is either attached firmly on or in the support (1) or, in another embodiment, attached releasably to the support surface (1).

The plate (3) has slots (4), which are advantageously dimensioned like the slots (2) of the support surface and are arranged congruently with the slots (2), in order to ensure a positive accommodation of the connector links (8) of the shelves in the support surface. Congruently means that during assembly or in the fully erected unit, the connector links (8) of the shelves (5, 6) can engage through the slots (4) of the panel (3) into the slots (2) of the support surface (1). Preferably, the slots of the panel and of the support surface are embodied to be dimensioned identically.

In contrast to the support surface (1), the panel (3) has slots either only at the points at which shelves are actually to be attached or are attached (FIGS. 3 and 4) or some or all of the slots (4) of the panel (3) are covered (11).

It is advantageous if the panel (3) has no open slots (4) or only a few open slots (4).

This is ensured in that either the open slots are occupied by connector links or are covered by a cover (11).

The cover (11) of the slots (2 and/or 4) is advantageously embodied such that the cover (11) can be removed in order to make it possible to use the support surface slots (2).

It is advantageous to facilitate the removal of the cover (11) by embossing, scoring or pre-punching the outline of the slots. It is very particularly advantageous if the cover (11) is pre-punched on three sides and one side is scored. It is then possible to insert the connector links (8) directly by pressing in the cover (11) into the support surface (1). The cover or facing material (11) is advantageously of the same material as the panel or the support surface.

Advantageously, the panel (3) has only as many slots (4) as are required by the connector links (8) of the shelves (5, 6) and/or the slots (4) of the panel (3) are covered by facing material (11), such as paper. When used, these covers (11) can be punched through by means of the connector links (8). Advantageously, the facing material (11) is weakened by perforation and can thus be removed in the correct shape. Thus advantageously one, several or all of the slots of the panel (4) are covered with facing material (11) (see FIG. 2).

In terms of its area, the panel (1) can be the same as, smaller than or larger than the support surface (1). In the latter case, the panel projects beyond the support surface or the front thereof (see FIGS. 3, 4). As material layers, toppers (12) can also be attached to the panel or integrated in the panel (see FIG. 4). The toppers or additional material layers are advantageously attached to the panel so they can be flipped over and are advantageously composed of the panel material.

The panel itself is advantageously made of paper, paperboard and has a thickness d (panel) that needs only to correspond to the cover of advantageously a few millimeters up to a few centimeters.

One purpose of the panel is to cover all of the slots of the support surface (2) that are not needed. This improves the optical effect of the sales display unit.

It is advantageous that the support surface can be manufactured in mass production always with the same number of slots and only the panels have to be adapted to the respective individual presentation or merchandise conditions.

The panel (3) is preferably attached to or on the support surface (1) and is advantageously held directly with the aid of the shelves (5, 6) inserted into the slots (2) of the support surface (1) by means of connector links (8). The panel is thus during assembly simply placed in front of the support surface (1) and the shelves (5, 6) inserted (FIG. 1).

If the panel is integrated into the support surface, different design options can be also provided here according to the invention. For example, the panel (3) can comprise only the front of the support surface (1), which is designed as a wall, for example. However, it is also possible for the panel to envelop the back, one or all of the side walls (FIG. 4).

It is thus possible according to the invention to also provide respectively one panel (3) on the side surface and/or rear of the support surface (1) (see FIG. 3). The panels and optionally additional material layers on the rear, front and the sides of the support surface can be attached individually, however, the material layers are preferably at least in part connected to one another (see FIG. 3). This facilitates production.

The cover (11) can be achieved with the material of the panel itself or additional paper or similar materials can serve as the facing (11). If the slots (4) of the panel (3) are covered, the slots can be used, for example, via perforation of and/or simply pushing through the facing material (11).

If the panel (3) is integrated in the support surface (1), this embodiment can also be realized according to the invention by covering the slots (2) of the support surface (1) with cover material (11) (FIG. 8). The cover material (11) is then to be considered as a panel (3) and can cover either all (FIG. 8 b)) or some (FIG. 8 a)) of the slots (2) of the support surface (1).

Thus one, several or all of the slots (2) of the support surface (1) are covered.

The integration of the panel into the support surface likewise contributes to the simplification of the production and the individual design of the sales display unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the panel (3) has the same number of slots (4) as the support surface (2), which are connected to the connector links (8) of the shelves (5, 6).

If the support surface (1) is conceived as a wall or as a cylinder, the shelves (5, 6) can be filled around the entire support, that is, from all sides. In the former case, one panel (3) each according to the invention is then advantageously provided on the front and rear or integrated in the front and rear support surfaces.

The panel (3) can advantageously be printed and can be used for design, to provide information or to stabilize the sales display unit.

The display unit according to the invention can be used for various goods to be presented.

Since the support surface has several slots, the merchandise fixtures can be placed individually depending on the goods, shape and size. The support surface and the shelves can therefore be used for differently configured display units.

By means of the unit according to the invention it is possible for the first time to produce identical supports and shelves in large numbers cost-effectively. Only the panels are produced individually and designed, printed or expanded, depending on the intended purpose.

This results in substantial cost advantages in terms of production and storage. A sales display unit according to the invention can thus be used for presenting different goods.

Only the panels are designed according to the goods to be presented to promote sales, optionally printed with pictures of the goods. The support surface can be mass produced and optionally re-used. The panel and the material layers thereof can extend in width and height beyond the support surface or the side surfaces thereof.

For example, a user would take from the warehouse a prefabricated support surface with grid-shaped arrangement of the slots and select the necessary shelves according to his goods. He would then need only to design the panel individually and his individual sales display unit would be ready, the supports and shelves of which could be re-used afterwards.

In addition to or in place of shelves, decorative elements, objects can also be attached (10). Since the merchandise fixtures used, also referred to as trays, are connected to the supporting rear wall in a stable manner after insertion, and the rear wall fully carries the loads, the decorative elements can be designed freely, since they do not have a bearing function (FIG. 7).

The entire unit with support surface and shelves can be recycled, since it is produced mainly from paperboard material.

FIG. 1 shows the individual components of a sales display unit, the support surface (1) as a wall having the thickness d, the panel (3), the shelf (5) with connector link (8) before being inserted into the slots (2, 4) having a height h and width b.

FIG. 2 shows a sketch of the unit in the cylindrical shape of the support (1) and a panel (3), which spans half of the support surface (1). The slots (4) of the panel are in part covered (11) and perforated.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the sales display unit before assembly in which the panel (3) comprises the support surface (1) on the front, rear and side. The panel (3) is thereby designed on one side in a curved manner and projects beyond the support surface (1). Advantageously, only the necessary slots (4) are present in the panel (3), i.e., the number of slots of the panel (4) corresponds to the number of connector links of the shelves (8), as is shown by FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 assembled with the shelves (5, 6), of which the lower two shelves (6) respectively have two connector links (8). In FIG. 4 an optional topper (12) with design effect is shown.

FIG. 5 shows a shelf (5) with connector link (8) and undercut (9) for improved retention of the shelves in the slots (2).

FIG. 6 shows a wider shelf (6) with two connector links (8) and undercut (9) for improved retention of the shelves in the slots (2).

FIG. 7 shows a decorative element (10) which can be placed in the unit like the shelves (5, 6) by means of the connector link (8).

FIG. 8 shows the embodiments in which the panel (3) is integrated in the support surface (1) and acts as a cover (11) for all (b) or some (a) of the slots (2). 

1.-8. (canceled)
 9. A sales display unit, wherein the unit comprises (i) at least one support surface with one or more slots arranged therein, (ii) at least one panel that is attached to, on or integrated in the support surface and comprises one or more slots, and (iii) at least one shelf which comprises one or more connector links that can be accommodated in a positive manner in the one or more slots of the support surface and/or of the panel, wherein the at least one support surface and the at least one shelf are made mainly of paperboard materials, and wherein a number of the one or more slots of the at least one panel corresponds to a number of the one or more connector links of the at least one shelf and/or one, several or all of the one or more slots of the at least one panel and/or of the at least one support surface are covered.
 10. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the number of the one or more slots of the at least one panel corresponds to the number of the one or more connector links of the at least one shelf.
 11. The display unit of claim 9, wherein one, several or all of the one or more slots of the at least one panel and/or of the at least one support surface are covered.
 12. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the one or more slots of the panel are congruent with all or some of the one or more slots of the support surface.
 13. The display unit of claim 9, wherein at least one of the one or more connector links is attached in a slot.
 14. The display unit of claim 9, wherein at least one of the one or more connector links is provided with an undercut.
 15. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the at least one panel is releasably attached to the at least one support surface.
 16. The display unit of claim 9, wherein in addition one or more objects are attached to the at least one support surface via a connector link.
 17. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the one or more slots are arranged in a grid shape.
 18. The display unit of claim 9, wherein a number of the one or more slots of the at least one support surface is greater than a number of inserted connector links of the at least one shelf. 